Unit 2: Drama & Film

Elements of Drama Plot Character Setting Theme Mood

Plot: the structure of a story Causal Plot Exposition: background information Complications: series of events resulting from a conflict, each conflict leads to the next Climax: moment of greatest tension, when the complications come to a head Resolution: end of the story, complications resolved, loose ends tied together Episodic Plot Similar to the causal plot, but the events don’t necessarily build on each other

Causal vs. Episodic Plots Causal Plot Episodic Plot Exposition Complications Episodes Climax Resolution

Linear vs. Nonlinear Linear: story maintains a strict chronological timeline Nonlinear: plot uses logical or illogical jumps of time Example: Dark Knight Rises, Inception

Character Protagonist: main character, story usually told through his eyes Antagonist: main adversary, creates the conflict that sets the complications in motion

Setting: location & time frame Period Film: set in a defined historical era

Theme & Mood Theme: central idea underlying a story gives the story its intellectual meaning Not all movies have themes (example: comedies, light musicals) Examples: religion, patriotism, morality, Love, Man vs. Nature Mood: quality of a film Examples: funny, sad, optimistic, dark, profound Doesn’t have to match the mood of the story or the theme

Title of Movie: Setting: Location______________ Time Frame: __________________ Characters: Protagonist:________________Antagonist: _______________ Plot: Circle the correct type of plot: causal/episodic linear/nonlinear   Exposition:  Conflict: Complications (list at least 3): Climax: Resolution  Mood: ____________________ Theme: ___________________

Elements of Film Genres Cinematography Point of View Film Editing

Film Genres (Narrative Film Only) Action/Adventure: crime, distaster, martial arts, swashbuckler, war Animation Comedy: dark, romantic, screwball, sentimental, slapstick Drama: biography, historical, melodrama, Horror: monster, psychological thriller Musical Mystery: courtroom, detective, film noir Romance Science Fiction Western

Cinematography & POV Cinematography: the art of taking moving pictures types of shots Point of View (POV): the perspective of the camera eye JAWS Omniscient POV: see the action as an observer, set at a distance, moved by director Subjective POV: see the action through the eyes of one of the characters

Film Editing Postproduction: when the film is given its final shape through the editing process and the addition of sound effects and music Shot: uninterrupted length of film Cut: precise moment when one shot ends and another begins Editing: shots created during production are joined together Crosscutting: alternating between shots from two or more sequences Switching between the rescuer and the person being rescued Godfather Montage: section of film made up of several brief shots edited together in order to show a condensed series of events montage example